Wine and Champagne are bottled in various sizes; the wine you would typically purchase off the shelf from a wine merchant or a supermarket is a ‘standard’ 750ml wine bottle, but other sizes are available.
The size of wine bottles ranges from 187.5ml, referred to as a ‘Split’, which is typically a one-glass serving commonly consumed onboard aeroplanes. The biggest bottle is 15L, referred to as a ‘Nebuchadnezzar’, and is equal to twenty (yes, 20!) bottles, roughly 100 glasses of wine! In context, a Nebuchadnezzar bottle of Moet and Chandon will set you back approximately £2,000 per bottle!
The actual bottle shapes do vary within the set bottle size. The 'classic' shaped bottle is referred to as a Bordeaux style, the traditional shape/size bottle. It features straight sides and sits tall and proud; this bottle shape is common in most wine-producing countries worldwide. Other shaped bottles include Burgundy (wide at the base, which gradually curves upwards into a shorter neck), Rhone (which is similar to Burgundy but features a longer/taller neck), Alsace (long and thinner style of design) and Champagne (similar to Burgundy but made from much thicker glass to withstand the pressure from the gas/bubbles inside.) Champagne bottles can also vary from one another, but they are generally the same shape and style of design.
We stock and provide a great selection of wine racks ideal for storing different shapes and sizes of bottles. Most of our racks will store the standard-size bottles mentioned above, but we can also provide racking for half-bottles, magnum bottles, and more!
Looking for the perfect way to store your wine collection? Explore our custom wine racks.
What are the different bottle sizes for Wine?
Wine Bottle Sizes Chart
| Capacity | Name | Description | Approx. Glasses | Equivalent Bottles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 187.5ml | Split | Usually for single glasses of Champagne (referred to as Piccolo in Italian) | 1 | 1/4 bottle |
| 375ml | Half | It holds half a standard-size bottle (referred to as ‘Demi’ in France) | 2 | 1/2 bottle |
| 750ml | Standard | Universal bottle size for most wines around the World | 5 | 1 bottle |
| 1.5L | Magnum | Double the standard bottle | 10 | 2 bottles |
| 3.0L | Double Magnum / Jeroboam | Two Magnums or four standard bottles | 20 | 4 bottles |
| 4.5L | Rehoboam | Six standard bottles | 30 | 6 bottles |
| 6.0L | Imperial | Eight standard bottles or two Double Magnums | 40 | 8 bottles |
| 9.0L | Salmanazar | Twelve standard bottles | 60 | 12 bottles |
| 12.0L | Balthazar | Sixteen standard bottles or two Imperials | 80 | 16 bottles |
| 15.0L | Nebuchadnezzar | Twenty standard bottles | 100 | 20 bottles |
Note: Glass estimates are based on a 150ml serving.
Did You Know?
Many large-format wine bottles are named after biblical kings and historical figures:
- Jeroboam: First King of the Northern Kingdom of Israel
- Rehoboam: Son of Solomon, King of Judah
- Methuselah: The oldest person in the Bible
- Salmanazar: Assyrian King
- Balthazar: One of the Three Wise Men
- Nebuchadnezzar: King of Babylon
These names add a touch of history and grandeur to your wine experience.
Essential Accessories for Serving and Storing
Opening a larger-format bottle like a Magnum or Jeroboam? These impressive wines deserve the right tools for the perfect pour. Discover our range of professional-grade corkscrews, aerators, and reliable bottle stoppers, designed to help you serve with ease and preserve every last drop.
